DeKALB | Doug Flutie has seen it all in his 20-plus years of football. From his college days at Boston College to being a superstar in the Canadian Football League, Flutie has seen it all.

Hail mary passes to win games and drop kicks to score extra points included.

Now, in his first year of retirement, Flutie serves as an announcer for ESPN/ABC college football. The former quarterback took some time before he had to get ready to be on the air to chat with the Northern Star.

Northern Star: What have you thought of DeKalb?

Doug Flutie: It has that quiet little town atmosphere, but it’s been nice. I went over to Fatty’s and had lunch on Monday, and the soccer team comes walking in. It’s just been very friendly. I went over and played basketball at the Rec center. It’s just been great.

NS: I heard about that game yesterday and that you were taking some kids to school.

DF: I was playing basketball, I don’t know if I would go that far. I was just having fun.

NS: How does Huskie Stadium compare to other places you’ve been?

DF: The stadium, for the schools we’ve been covering on Tuesday nights, is beautiful. Obviously, there are bigger and better facilities at other places. But you’re putting the money into the new locker rooms and facilities and upgrading somewhat.

NS: Wolfe is a big name here at NIU, but everyone is saying he’s too small to play in the NFL. But you heard the same things. What do you think about this criticism?

DF: You only play the game from your stature your whole life. You know no different. The game doesn’t change. Just the people you are playing with are different people. When I went from high school to college I was told I wasn’t going to be a good college quarterback. I went to Boston College and because of what people were saying, I was ready to change positions then. But all of sudden that worked out. You got behind the center and it was the same game. When he’s back there it’s the same game. You make people miss, you make a break, and you take off running the ball. You find a way to block. You can either play this game or you can’t. Size has nothing to do with it.

NS: Looking back, two plays stick in people minds. The hail mary pass against Miami and the drop kick last season. Which one to you is more memorable?

DF: I guess the one everyone will remember more is the hail mary pass. The drop kick is kind of a gimmick fun thing that we did, and Bill Belichick was a big part of that. Both will be big for me down the road. The one that will be lasting though is the Miami pass. It’s already lasted for 20 years. You love for everyone to remember what you’ve done over your career, but at least I have two plays like that. It’s better than the alternative of being forgotten.

NS: Talk a little bit about your son’s foundation for autism?

DF: It’s been a big part of my life. I thought it was going to be a small thing around the Boston area, but it timed up when I started playing with Buffalo. Then Flutie Flakes came out and it became a big deal. We’ve raised over nine million dollars, and it’s not all big corporate money coming.

NS: Do you still have boxes of Flutie Flakes around the house?

DF: Oh yeah, we’ve got extra boxes tucked away for charity events. We have a couple of the original boxes and they’re tucked away. It’s one of those novelty things.

NS: What has football meant to your life?

DF: It’s been a big part of my life, ever since I was seven years old playing flag football. Then eight years old, putting the pads on. This is the first year I don’t have the pads on. Sports in general have just been a big part of my life and if I can make a living out of it that’s a bonus.

NS: Do you ever get the urge to play on the field again?

DF: No doubt. I’m still a kid at heart. I just enjoy competition and playing.